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Weekly news and analysis of Michigan politics by the professional journalists of MIRSnews.com
Episodes
Monday Jun 06, 2011
Monday Jun 06, 2011
Rock 'n' roller Ted Nugent talks about shooting wild pigs in Texas from a helicopter with a machine gun, Rep. Pete Lund talks about being in a Ted Nugent video as a youth (and redistricting) and MIRS team of Kyle Melinn and Jack Spencer talk about wild pigs, dancing with Peter Lund and why the chances of recalling any state official (let alone Gov. Rick Snyder) are so remote.
Tuesday May 31, 2011
Tuesday May 31, 2011
Is the Governor's political future in doubt after pushing forward with his tax reform plan and his cuts-laden budget? Listen to Gov. Rick Snyder's response in this week's edition. Also, is the Republicans' reclaimed majority in the House in question after putting up votes in support of these controversial pieces of legislation? House Speaker Jase Bolger, AFSCME's Nick Ciaramitaro and Rep. Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) weigh in on that question. MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn hosts.
Monday May 23, 2011
Monday May 23, 2011
State employee unions offer $175 million in suggested savings to state government without going after front-line employee levels. These changes, they claim, would improve customer service. Listen to the raw audio of the Capitol press conference hosted this morning by SEIU, UAW, AFSCME and MSEA. Also MIRS' Kyle Melinn, John Reurink and Jack Spencer speculate on whether compiling the Fiscal Year 2012 budget will turn into a trainwreck, but why it's important that the Legislature pull it off this week despite the risk.
Monday May 16, 2011
Monday May 16, 2011
Former Gov. John Engler says running for the U.S. Senate was "never on the table," but listen to his formula on beating Debbie Stabenow in 2012 at Buck's Run Golf Course in Mt. Pleasant for a 4th Congressional Republican Party fundraiser. The former Governor is also asked if eliminating tax exemptions is a tax increase and about attracting immigrants to Michigan. U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, the chair of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, is asked about raising the country's $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. Kyle Melinn hosts.
Monday May 09, 2011
Monday May 09, 2011
MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn speaks with Ed Sarpolus from Target Insyght on a new Congressional redistricting map that is set to be released at 2 p.m. today in Room 428 of the Capitol. MIRS commissioned the map to see what 14 congressional seats would look like if politics were taking out of the equation. Earlier in the show analysts Jack Spencer and Susan Demas talk about the "pension tax" and what the summer will look like in the Legislature.
Monday May 02, 2011
Monday May 02, 2011
Detroit Mayor David Bing visited Lansing on Thursday to urge lawmakers and Gov. Rick Snyder to move legislation to keep his city out of Emergency Manager status. Listen to the raw audio of his press conference. MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn makes the argument why U.S. Rep. Thad McCotter is positioned to be the Republicans' U.S. Senate nominee. MIRS Senior Analyst Susan J. Demas talks about the sights and sounds from the Gov. Rick Snyder commencement address at the Unversity of Michigan. Also, Gov. Jennifer Granholm's portrait is going up in the Capitol. What should we be looking for?
Wednesday Apr 27, 2011
Wednesday Apr 27, 2011
Gov. Rick Snyder this morning announced his special message on education to the Legislature during a special announcement at the Southeast Michigan United Way headquarters in Detroit. Listen to his message in full, including his answers to several questions posed by the media.
Monday Apr 25, 2011
Monday Apr 25, 2011
Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Roger Kahn talks about why the passage of the 16 budgets from his committee was "historic" on this week's edition. Kahn and Sen. Glenn Anderson are asked if the Republicans took a serious look at additional revenue as an option for balancing the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 budget. MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn lists the most likely state representatives Democrats would target in a recall and correspondent Jerry Crandall talks about why the absense of a New International Trade Crossing bill, for now, is good political strategy.
Monday Apr 18, 2011
Monday Apr 18, 2011
The House and Senate begin taking their own knives to next year's budget. What was the biggest surprise? Publisher John Reurink, Analyst Susan Demas and Editor Kyle Melinn each have their own. Why is Detroit Lions great Billy Sims e-mailing Melinn? It's not because of the latter's athletic ability (or lack thereof). DNR Director Rodney Stokes addresses campground closures and Rep. Eileen Kowall talks about why she's OK with some DEQ fee increases.
Monday Apr 11, 2011
Monday Apr 11, 2011
Department of Agriculture Director Keith Creagh talks about a proposal to end state milk inspections in favor of an industry-run check. Budgets begin moving out of legislative subcommittees this week. How much do they matter in the final product? MIRS Analyst Susan Demas answers that question. And MIRS Analyst Jack Spencer predicts the future of the state employee domestic partner benefits proposal. MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn hosts.